Hard luck continues for Hammerheads

Published: Monday, May 6, 2013 at 11:33 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 6, 2013 at 11:33 p.m.

There are still a number of teams seeking their true identity, as we head deeper into the second month of the season.

The Hammerheads might be the hard-luck story of the slate thus far. David Irving is waiting for a number of key players to return from injury, and two red cards in a month is a tough pill to swallow.

Forward Cody Arnoux was back to finding the net in the preseason. But he is yet to make his regular-season debut, due to a hamstring injury. One cure-all for any team is goals and it could be just what the doctor ordered for Wilmington, if the doctor could first cure the rash of injuries.

Saturday marks the rematch of the 2012 championship game, with the Hammerheads visiting Charleston.

Regular-season record in parentheses; last week’s ranking in brackets:

1. Orlando (5-1-1) [1] – The Lions roll to another win and have now outscored their opponents at a 21-8 clip. The only downside at this point is the 1-1-1 record on the road.

2. Richmond (3-0-2) [2] – The Kickers opened May with a win at Wilmington and a home draw against Charlotte. Sticking with No. 2 until proven wrong.

3. Charleston (4-1-0) [6] – Road wins at Harrisburg and Dayton have the Battery looking a bit more like the defending champs.

4. Harrisburg (4-1-0) [4] – A home loss against Charleston and a 1-nil home win over struggling Rochester. The jury is still out on the City Islanders.

5. Charlotte (2-0-3) [5] – After a 3-3 draw in Richmond, the Eagles are still undefeated. But too many draws can become a drain on points. The three draws match their total from last year.

7. Tampa Bay (4-3-0) [7] – An expected home win over Antigua, in a 3-1 final, pushes the record above the .500 mark. But this is another club still waiting for the jury.

8. Phoenix (2-3-2) [8] – The Wolves battled the Riverhounds to a 1-1 draw. The rematch is set for Thursday in Pittsburgh.

9. Wilmington (1-3-0) [9] – The shorthanded Hammers were shut out at home Friday night. Injuries and red-card suspensions have the club struggling out of the gate. The No. 3 goal-scoring team in the league last year has found the net only three times in four games.

10. Dayton (2-2-0) [10] – Battling the Battery in a 1-0 loss could serve as reason to bump the Dutch Lions up in the ranks. But it’s still too early; maybe next week after Phoenix comes to town.

11. Rochester (0-5-1) [11] – I still can’t believe this will be the real Rhinos, even after a 1-0 loss to Harrisburg in their first home match. But only three goals in six matches spells trouble. This is the team that finished in second place in 2012.

12. Pittsburgh (0-4-3) [12] – The Riverhounds battled to two draws last week. But goals have also been hard to come by – at the rate of three in seven outings.

<p>There are still a number of teams seeking their true identity, as we head deeper into the second month of the season.</p><p>The Hammerheads might be the hard-luck story of the slate thus far. David Irving is waiting for a number of key players to return from injury, and two red cards in a month is a tough pill to swallow.</p><p>Forward Cody Arnoux was back to finding the net in the preseason. But he is yet to make his regular-season debut, due to a hamstring injury. One cure-all for any team is goals and it could be just what the doctor ordered for Wilmington, if the doctor could first cure the rash of injuries.</p><p>Saturday marks the rematch of the 2012 championship game, with the Hammerheads visiting Charleston.</p><p>Regular-season record in parentheses; last week's ranking in brackets:</p><p>1. Orlando (5-1-1) [1] – The Lions roll to another win and have now outscored their opponents at a 21-8 clip. The only downside at this point is the 1-1-1 record on the road.</p><p>2. Richmond (3-0-2) [2] – The Kickers opened May with a win at Wilmington and a home draw against Charlotte. Sticking with No. 2 until proven wrong.</p><p>3. Charleston (4-1-0) [6] – Road wins at Harrisburg and Dayton have the Battery looking a bit more like the defending champs.</p><p>4. Harrisburg (4-1-0) [4] – A home loss against Charleston and a 1-nil home win over struggling Rochester. The jury is still out on the City Islanders.</p><p>5. Charlotte (2-0-3) [5] – After a 3-3 draw in Richmond, the Eagles are still undefeated. But too many draws can become a drain on points. The three draws match their total from last year.</p><p>6. Los Angeles (4-3-1) [3] – A scoreless home draw against winless Pittsburgh? The Blues roller coaster continues.</p><p>7. Tampa Bay (4-3-0) [7] – An expected home win over Antigua, in a 3-1 final, pushes the record above the .500 mark. But this is another club still waiting for the jury. </p><p>8. Phoenix (2-3-2) [8] – The Wolves battled the Riverhounds to a 1-1 draw. The rematch is set for Thursday in Pittsburgh.</p><p>9. Wilmington (1-3-0) [9] – The shorthanded Hammers were shut out at home Friday night. Injuries and red-card suspensions have the club struggling out of the gate. The No. 3 goal-scoring team in the league last year has found the net only three times in four games.</p><p>10. Dayton (2-2-0) [10] – Battling the Battery in a 1-0 loss could serve as reason to bump the Dutch Lions up in the ranks. But it's still too early; maybe next week after Phoenix comes to town.</p><p>11. Rochester (0-5-1) [11] – I still can't believe this will be the real Rhinos, even after a 1-0 loss to Harrisburg in their first home match. But only three goals in six matches spells trouble. This is the team that finished in second place in 2012.</p><p>12. Pittsburgh (0-4-3) [12] – The Riverhounds battled to two draws last week. But goals have also been hard to come by – at the rate of three in seven outings.</p><p>13. Antigua (0-5-0) [13] – A league-worst 3-18 goal differential. (Did I say ouch last week?)</p>